Limited edition - MicroFreak Stellar
Cool new look
MicroFreak has taken the world by storm, and on the occasion of version 5 the firmware, which i.a. upgrading the synth with a brand new sampling unit, ARTURIA has produced a limited number of MicroFreaks in a new, cool design, inspired by space travel.
Un grain de folle
A touch of madness, we call it in Danish. And with typical French finesse, ARTURIA has managed to strike the balance between genius and madness with the completely self-developed digital oscillator, which, without the large arm movements, allows the user to create completely unique timbres, from the fashionable and neat to the Balstyrian and outrageous. But always with surplus and a sound quality in a special class.
Multi-mode oscillator
In addition to ARTURIA's own 8, the built-in algorithms also include open-source algorithms from the pioneers at Mutable Instruments (7) and Noise Engineering (3). Get modular input into your sound creation while maintaining an overview with MicroFreak's familiar buttons and parameters.
May 2023: Firmware V5
With version 5, ARTURIA expands the oscillator section with a completely new engine - sampling. As with the other engines, there is more than just one way to manipulate sound, and the sampling engine has a total of four different modes: Sample, Scan Grains, Cloud Grains and Hit Grains, each with its own unique way of handling samples. A number of samples are included in the update and you can - of course - load your own as well. There is a total of about 2 minutes in the MicroFreak's memory. Version 5 also has new settings for faster envelopes, random settings for envelopes and LFOs, new presets and an updated MIDI Control Center software, i.a. for handling samples.
It's analog too!
The MicroFreak bridges the gap between past and future by integrating an analog 12dB Oberheim SEM filter circuit. This multi-mode filter is known and loved far and wide for its versatility and raw, aggressive sound, which is exactly what a digital oscillator needs.
Sequencer and Mod-Matrix
Record up to four parameters, edit notes per step, or try the innovative "Spice and Dice" sequencer functions that introduce musical coincidences. Add to that the possibility of virtually rewiring the entire machine via the integrated 5x7 modulation matrix.
What's going on with that keyboard?
Yeah, it looks crazy doesn't it? It's actually not a keyboard at all, but an open circuit board! No moving parts. It responds to your touch by conducting electricity from you to the glories beneath the surface. The greater the surface area covered, the greater the change in electrical resistance. This can then be routed to a host of parameters so you can control filter, pitch, oscillator changes and much more, simply by pressing harder or softer. And best of all, this functionality is polyphonic, ie. each "key" regulates parameters independently of the others. It has to be tried to fully see how expressive and dynamic it is.
MIDI, USB and CV/Gate
The MicroFreak communicates with the outside world via both classic MIDI I/O, MIDI over USB, and there is also a set of CV Gate and Mod outputs, so you can control modular systems or other analog devices with the MicroFreak.
